Lavandula plant named ‘LMARO32-0’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Lavandula  cultivar named ‘LMARO32-0’ is disclosed, characterized by a long red-purple terminal bracts. Plants are typically upright in growth habit, strong and begin flowering early. The new variety is a  Lavandula , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Lavandula stoechas.

Variety denomination: ‘LMARO32-0’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Lavandula cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programconducted by the inventor, John Robb, in New South Wales, Australia. Theobjective of the breeding program was to produce new Lavender varietiesfor ornamental commercial applications. The open pollination resultingin this new variety was made during October of 2009.

The seed parent is the, unpatented variety referred to as Lavender ‘BeePretty’. The pollen parent is unknown as it was an open pollinationbreeding program, using several proprietary pollen parents. The newvariety was discovered in October of 2011 by the inventor in a group ofseedlings resulting from the 2009 crossing, in a research greenhouse inNew South Wales, Australia.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by vegetativeterminal cuttings. This was first performed at a research greenhouse inNew South Wales, Australia during January of 2012 and has shown that theunique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to typein at least 4 successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘LMARO32-0’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘LMARO32-0’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘LMARO32-0’ as a new and distinct Lavendercultivar:

-   -   1. Distinctive dark red-purple sterile bracts.    -   2. Upright growth habit.    -   3. Strong plants, resistant to breakage.    -   4. Good tolerance for heat and humidity.    -   5. Early flowering.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LMARO32-0’ are similar to plants of theparent, Lavandula stoechas ‘Bee Pretty’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘LMARO32-0’ produceflowers with darker sterile bracts. Additionally, plants of the newvariety are more upright, and stronger. Foliage of the new variety isalso a different shade of green than foliage of the seed parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LMARO32-0’ are comparable to the varietyLavandula ‘Larkman Bee’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,840. The two Lavandulavarieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics, includingearly flowering. The new variety ‘LMARO32-0’ differs in producing longersterile bracts, of a red-purple, compared to purple color. Additionallyplants of ‘LMARO32-0’ are more upright than plants of this comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LMARO32-0’ can also be compared to thecommercial variety Lavandula ‘Madrid Pink Improved’ U.S. Plant Pat. No.14,205. These varieties are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics however, the new variety ‘LMARO32-0’ differs inproducing longer sterile bracts, and an overall longer inflorescence.Sterile bracts of the new variety fade to a lighter red-purple, whereassterile bracts of the comparator fade to white. Additionally plants of‘LMARO32-0’ are more upright in habit than the comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘LMARO32-0’ grown outdoors in Santa Paula, Calif. Theplant grown in a commercial 1 gallon container. Age of the plantsphotographed is approximately 30 weeks from a rooted cutting.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close up of the inflorescence. The photographs weretaken using conventional techniques and although colors may appeardifferent from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurateas possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘LMARO32-0’ plants grown outdoors during,Fall, Winter and Spring in Watsonville, Calif. The growing temperatureranged from 10° C. to 35° C. during the day and from 5° C. to 25° C.during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight.Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical planttypes.

-   Botanical classification: Lavandula stoechas ‘LMARO32-0’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 10 to 14 days at approximately 21° C.-   Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 25 to 35 days at 21° C.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 9 months from an unrooted    cutting.-   Pot size: 1 Gallon-   Plant spread: Approximately 35 cm.-   Plant height: Approximately 30 cm, to top of flowering plane.    Approximately 24 cm to top of foliar plane.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 14 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.25 cm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: About 30.-   Plant habit: Moderately dense, upright, with a slight outward arch.-   Stem:    -   -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144C and 144D.        -   Texture.—Puberulent.-   Internode length: Average range 1.5 to 3.0 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—2 large opposite leaves at each node.        -   Leaf type.—Simple.        -   Quantity.—Average 8 to 16 fully expanded per main branch.        -   Average length.—Average 2.8 (mature foliage).        -   Average width.—Average 0.4 cm. (mature foliage).        -   Shape of blade.—Lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Attachment.—Sessile.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of all surfaces.—Puberbulent.        -   Leaf fragrance.—Less than moderate Lavender scent.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A.            Young foliage under side: Near RHS Green Yellow-Green 144A.            Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Mature            foliage under side: Near RHS Green 137C.        -   Venation.—Type: Reticulate. Venation color upper side:            Indistinguishable from foliage color. Venation color under            side: Near RHS Green 138A.        -   Petiole.—Absent.

FLOWER

-   Bloom period: Main flush during Spring. Lesser quantities of flowers    produced throughout Summer and Fall. During peak flowering total    inflorescence quantity between 50 and 60 per plant.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Form.—Small single flower in verticillasters arranged in            spikes. Typically 4 rows of flowers, occasionally up to 8            rows. Flowers have small bracts, and large showy terminal            bracts.        -   Number of individual flowers per spike.—Average 40.        -   Fragrance.—Very strong lavender scent.        -   Inflorescence size, excluding terminal bracts.—Length:            Approximately 6.0 cm. Width: Approximately 1.8 cm. Shape:            Cylindrical.-   Flowers:    -   -   Corolla shape.—Salverform.        -   Length.—Average 1.0 cm.        -   Width.—Average 0.5 cm.-   Petals:    -   -   Petal number.—5.        -   Petals fused or unfused.—Fused at base.        -   Petal shape.—Ovate.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Petal surfaces.—Glabrous. Length: Approximately 0.7 cm.            (corolla tube and petals). Diameter: Approximately 0.2 cm at            widest opening of petals.        -   Coloration of individual flowers, excluding terminal            bracts.—Immature: Near Red-Purple 70A. Mature: Near            Red-Purple 61A. Fading: Near Purple 79A.-   Sepals:    -   -   Calyx width.—0.3 cm.        -   Calyx length.—0.9 cm.        -   Calyx shape.—Flattened tube.        -   Calyx color.—RHS Yellow-Green 145D, heavily flushed            Greyed-Purple N187A.-   Bracts:    -   -   Bract shape.—Orbicular.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.7 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.6 cm.        -   Bract apex.—Irregular apiculate.        -   Bract color.—Lower Surface: Near Green 137C, flushing of            veins near Purple N79A. Upper Surface: Near Green 137D.-   Terminal bracts (sterile):    -   -   Quantity.—4 per inflorescence, 2 large and 2 small.        -   Large bracts.—Attitude and angle of attachment: Bracts            arising at approximately 10 degree angle from the top of the            inflorescence. Large Bracts: Length: Approximately 3.2 cm.            Width: Approximately 1.3 cm. Small Bracts: Length:            Approximately 2.0 cm. Width: Approximately 1.3 cm.        -   Form.—Petaloid.        -   Margin.—Entire and undulating, ruffled.        -   Surfaces.—Smooth.        -   Appearance.—Matte.        -   Shape.—Oblanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Oblique.        -   Vein pattern.—Reticulate.        -   Duration on plant.—Approximately 12 weeks, with good color.            Persistent.        -   Color.—Lower Surface: Near Red-Purple 71C, veins near            Greyed-Purple N187A. Upper Surface: Near Red-Purple 70B,            veins near Purple N79A. Bract color fading to: Near RHS            Red-Purple 70D, veins Yellow-Green 144A.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Peduncle length.—Average range approximately 4.5 to 6.8 cm.        -   Peduncle diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.        -   Aspect.—Straight to slightly undulating.        -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   -   -   Androecium.—Stamens: 4. Anther shape: linear. Anther length:            Approximately 0.5 mm. Anther color: Near RHS White N155A.            Pollen quantity: Pollen production not observed.        -   Pistil.—Number: 1. Length: Approximately 0.25 cm. Style:            Length: Approximately 0.2 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green            145D. Stigma: Shape: Linear. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Purple            N187A. Ovary: Minute and immeasurable.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Seed production not observed to date.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    the normal diseases and pests of Lavandula stoechas. has been    observed. Lavandula is not affected by many diseases and pets.    However, Botrytis and some root rot pathogens can be diseases    problems, especially in overly wet conditions. Various species of    White Fly may infect Lavandula.-   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: Hardy perennial. Tolerates    high temperature to at least 32° C. Tolerates low temperatures to    appoximately −12° C. While specific drought tolerance has not been    observed, once plants are established very little water is necessary    to maintain plants.-   Fruit/seed production: Fruit and seed production not observed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Lavandula plantnamed ‘LMARO32-0’ as herein illustrated and described.